Hog Hunting

There are a wide variety of reasons to hunt hogs and wild boar. Whether you want to harvest them for their meat, acquire their tusks for trophies, or simply engage in a thrilling new chase, hog hunting is a rarer form of hunting that is rapidly growing in popularity. Here are a few reasons to consider hog hunting for your next game trip.

There are many different ways to hunt hogs and boars. One of the most common methods is to use dogs. Many who enjoy hog hunting have two types: a catching dog and a baying dog. The baying dog chases down the hog, secludes it from the rest of the herd, and distracts it throughly, allowing the catching dog to pin down the hog. This allows you to finish the maneuver by shooting the hog. Common hog hunting dogs include pit pulls, foxhounds, mastiffs, and other breeds.

Another hunting method involves the use of horses. Riders will surround a boar and then commence hunting with a specialized boar spear. This timeless method has been used throughout history, though these days it's much rarer. It is considered by exotic hunters to be an exhilarating chase, though some believe it to be too cruel.

In some areas, hog hunting is used to control the wild hog and boar population. This is particularly so in areas where hogs are nuisances. Not only can they harm forest creatures, livestock, pets, and farming land, but they can spread disease and pollute water as well. For this reason, you should always thoroughly check the pelt and meat for signs of disease before eating your catch. Additionally, be sure to harvest and freeze your pork as soon as you can to avoid it spoiling.

There are some who enjoy hunting hogs simply for the trophies. These hunters base their kills on the appearance of the hog and will encourage herds to breed toward their preferences, weeding out any hogs that possess undesirable traits. This form of hunting typically takes much longer and lacks the impulsive nature of other forms of hog hunting, but the results are a much more attractive trophy. Whether you decide to have the carcass stuffed or simply keep the tusks, this is an ideal way to get the trophy you've always wanted.

Regardless of the method you use for your hunting, you will be engaging in a sport that has its roots in medieval history, an elegant and exciting endeavor that has some truly extraordinary results.

...